Background on the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R)
is the national medical specialty society for physiatrist (fizz ee AT trists),
physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R).
The specialty began in the 1930s to treat musculoskeletal and neurological
problems: AAPM&R was founded in 1938. After World War II, as thousands of
severely disabled veterans began to return home and look for ways to lead
productive lives, the specialty grew rapidly and focused its mission to
enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with
physical impairments or disabilities.
AAPM&R serves its members and their patients, other health
professionals and society by fostering excellence in physiatric practice,
education, and research. AAPM&R has more than 7,000
members, representing nearly 9 in 10 of all practicing PM&R physicians in
the United States.
|